Which Ring Roads in Beijing Can National IV Vehicles Enter?
2 Answers
If the vehicle has a Beijing license plate, it will not be subject to traffic restrictions in Beijing. However, if it is not a Beijing license plate, it cannot enter Beijing roads. Many areas within the 5th Ring Road of Beijing have restrictions, allowing driving only on certain roads from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The National IV emission standard is introduced as follows: 1. Introduction 1: The National IV emission standard is the fourth phase of China's motor vehicle pollutant emission standards. The main pollutants emitted by vehicles include HC (hydrocarbons), NOx (nitrogen oxides), CO (carbon monoxide), and PM (particulate matter). 2. Introduction 2: By applying technologies such as improved catalytic converter active layers, secondary air injection, and exhaust gas recirculation systems with cooling devices, the standard controls and reduces vehicle emissions to below specified levels. 3. Introduction 3: China's vehicle emission standards have been upgraded annually. The National II emission standard was implemented nationwide on July 1, 2004.
I've been driving in Beijing for over a decade with my China IV emission standard vehicle, frequently entering the urban areas. According to Beijing's policies, gasoline vehicles meeting China IV emission standards are permitted to enter all areas within the Sixth Ring Road, including core zones like the Second and Third Ring Roads. However, you need to obtain a Beijing Entry Permit, which has a short validity period. I always apply in advance via a mobile app—it just takes a few minutes to fill out the information. Additionally, on weekdays, you must adhere to the traffic restriction based on license plate tail numbers—meaning one day each week, your vehicle's last digit prohibits entry within the Fifth Ring Road, though driving outside the Sixth Ring is unrestricted. For those frequently entering Beijing, I recommend carrying the vehicle registration certificate and checking weather forecasts, as restrictions tighten during heavy smog. Driving on weekends is fine, but traffic jams during peak hours can be severe—try to avoid morning and evening rush hours to stay stress-free. In short, access within the Sixth Ring is manageable as long as you have all the required documents ready.
